Pulling for a cause

Seven teams of men and women became human tow trucks for a tour bus in Kailua-Kona on Saturday.

Gripping a gigantic rope, the contestants put their backs and gluteal muscles into the pull at the Kona Commons parking lot for “Bus-A-Move,” an event to boost funds for Special Olympics West Hawaii.

The teams: 10 men and women. The objective: to pull a 36,060-pound Roberts Hawaii tour bus 30 feet in the shortest time possible, and raise money while doing it.

“Of course, it’s brute strength, because you have to make sure you’re pulling, but you need to work with a team, too,” said event coordinator Denise Lindsey, who is the powerlifting coach for Special Olympics West Hawaii.

Dylan Lambert, part of team Give None, Take None, said he turned out not so much to win but to support the community.

“We staggered and gave everyone room,” he said after his team’s pull, which was energized by cheers and yells from the onlookers. “The main thing is to just have a grip on the rope.”

Team All Natural took first place for the fastest pull, at 9 seconds, followed by Give None, Take None, at 10.03 seconds, and Humpy’s at 11.41

The lowest combined weight contest required not just brawn, but strategy. The goal was to pull a 16,500-pound Airgas truck 30 feet in less than one minute.